Among the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio begins its second season under Jeff Boals’ leadership on the road.
Ohio will travel to Champaign, Illinois for a three-game stint against the first half of its non-conference schedule. The three games will be part of a round robin with Chicago State, North Carolina A&T and No.8 ranked Illinois. The next three days will be a tone setter for how well Ohio has adapted to a season under strict pandemic guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know about the three teams Ohio will face over Thanksgiving break:
Wednesday
Opponent: Chicago State Cougars
Game time: 5 p.m.
Venue: State Farm Center
Watch: FightingIllini.com
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Thursday
Opponent: North Carolina A&T Aggies
Game time: 3 p.m.
Venue: State Farm Center
Watch: FightingIllini.com
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Friday
Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini
Game time: 1 p.m.
Venue: State Farm Center
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Likely Starters
20 Da’Monte Williams
11 Ayo Dosunmu
1 Trent Frazier
15 Giorgi Bezhanishvili
21 Kofi Cockburn
Reserves
5 Andre Curbelo
44 Adam Miller
22 Austin Hutcherson
3 Jacob Grandison
13 Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk
33 Coleman Hawkins
Notes on the opponents
Chicago State
After a disastrous 4-25 record last season, the Cougars were predicted to finish last in the Western Athletic Conference’s Preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Lance Irvin is entering his third season leading the Cougars, but the faith that he can turn it around is slim. Chicago State hasn’t won more than five games in a single season since the 2016-17 season.
North Carolina A&T
The Aggies are in better standings to begin the season. They were predicted to finish second in the Southern Division of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after a 12-4 conference record in 2019-20.
Outside of the MEAC, A&T can’t keep its head above water. The Aggies struggled with a 5-11 record against non-conference opponents last season. Ohio can only hope that record translates to this season as well.
Illinois
The No. 8 ranked team in the NCAA needs no introduction. Illinois is walking into Champaign as the team to beat. Returning stars Ayo Dosunmu and sophomore Kofi Cockburn are poised to lead the Illini’s daunting offense, while incoming freshman Adam Miller has been the talk of his recruiting class.
The Illini are a well-rounded team predicted to grapple with Iowa for the Big Ten title this season. It's a longshot among longshots, but if Ohio can pull a fast one over the Illini, its hopes for the season will blow through the roof.
